This year, the Arctic Futures Symposium was organized for the eleventh year in a row by the International Polar Foundation and its partners. The conference was held online and lasted for three days. Thomas Norvoll, next Chairman of Northern Sparsely Populated Areas (NSPA) between 2021-2023 and Chair of the Board at North Norway European Office, participated as a speaker on the third day.
In December, the European Commission published the European Social Progress Index (EU-SPI) for 2020. It shows that Upper Norrland have the highest level of social progress in the entire EU, followed by Helsinki-Uusimma in Finland and Central Norrland in Sweden. With high scores in fulfilling basic human needs and a high environmental quality, northern Sweden offers an attractive life environment.
On November 30, Europaforum Northern Sweden (EFNS) adopted a position on the EU initiative for a long-term vision for rural areas. The network, which brings together politicians from Sweden’s four northernmost regions, emphasizes the need for a place-based approach in rural development strategies.
On November 26th, 2020, Finland and Sweden officially approved the establishment of the Kvarken Council EGTC, a European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation aiming to develop cross-border cooperation and improve competitiveness in the region.
On the 4th of November, the Brussels offices and steering committee of Northern Sparsely Populated Areas, NSPA, met with the EU Arctic Ambassador, Michael Mann, to discuss the NSPA's role in the EU's ongoing review of the 2016 Arctic Strategy. Mann emphasized the importance of continuing the dialogue and the interdependence between the EU and the NSPA.
04 Nov 2020 NSPA universities in meeting with EU Arctic Ambassador
21 Oct 2020 The European Artic in EU post 2020 policies
21 Oct 2020 EWRC webinar Circular economy in the Arctic industries
07 Oct 2020 Northern Sparsely Populated Areas steering committee meeting on the EU budget and EU’s Arctic policy
29 Sep 2020 North Sweden welcomes the European Raw Materials Alliance
28 Sep 2020 Europaforum Northern Sweden’s position on digitalization
23 Sep 2020 NSPA in digital meeting with the European commission about future regional policy
18 Sep 2020 Umeå hosted international conference about research design
17 Sep 2020 State of the union – Northern Sweden a guiding example
15 Sep 2020 Northern Sweden puts forward the importance of a regional dimension on EU's forest strategy
15 Sep 2020 Northern Sweden's views on the proposal of a new national ESF+ programme
30 Jun 2020 NSPA:s views on EU Cohesion Policy
11 Mar 2020 The European Commission proposes 61 million euros to Upper Norrland for the restructuring of the steel industry
12 Feb 2020 North Sweden in meeting with the European Parliament Research Service
07 Feb 2020 Energy efficient datacenters discussed in the European parliament
15 Jan 2020 Northern Sweden’s minerals important for EU’s climate adaptation
